Tampa, Fla. — The Villages High School football program reached a historic milestone Sunday as former standout Mac Harris III became the first player in school history to earn an opportunity at the professional level.

Harris, a 2020 graduate of VHS, received an invitation to rookie minicamp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft.

"I just feel truly blessed and I feel like I'm a living example of what God can do," Harris said on Sunday. "I can't wait to show Him my appreciation through my hard work and dedication."

The 6-foot, 235-pound linebacker recently wrapped up his collegiate career at the University of South Florida, where he developed into one of the top defenders in the American Athletic Conference. Harris earned first-team All-AAC honors in 2025 after posting 103 tackles, six sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.

At The Villages, Harris was a cornerstone of the Buffalo program, as the four-year member and two-time captain left his mark across the record books with more than a dozen individual school records. A versatile two-way player at quarterback and defensive back, he helped guide the Buffalo to an undefeated regular season in 2018 and back-to-back state playoff appearances in 2018 and 2019.

"I couldn't be more proud of Mac Harris as I am today with him getting an invite from the Bucs," said VHS head coach Richard Pettus, a member of the FACA Hall of Fame. "I've been in contact with Mac throughout the whole process and I've been so impressed. I'm happy that he will get his opportunity soon."

Harris' opportunity with the Buccaneers marks a significant moment for The Villages' program, highlighting its continued growth and ability to develop talent capable of reaching the next level. The Buffalo have already produced seven players to the collegiate level in the past two years and feature multiple players with Division I scholarship offers on its current roster.


Cody Hills can be reached for questions or comment via email at cody.hills@tvcs.org.